a hinanap ang mga libro'ng kailangan niya. She cut off all attempts to engage her in conversation and went to find a secluded spot -- away from the people who would

makyat sa huling palapag ng library at magbak

perpetually plunged into darkness, even in the light of day. To complete the picture, a bulb flickered feebly at the very back of the shelves, lending an eerie atmosphere to the abandoned section. Huwag nang idagdag doon ang mga

The light from the overcast sky outside did little to brighten her study space, kaya kahit mag-a-alas dos pa lang ng hapon ay binuksan niya ang desk lamp. The pale, yellow light cast a ghostly air over her desk,

Ilang saglit ang lumipas bago nag-aalanga'ng nag-angat siya ng tingin at matama'ng pinakinggan ang paligid. Apart from the sound of rain that continued to patter on the window panes, w

ya roon o hindi. But as she heard the sound for the third time, every horror story she had heard about the Research Section of the library suddenly seem

t shears. Iniumang niya iyon bago isa-isa'ng sinilip ang hanay ng mga bookshelves. Napahinto si Anika nang muli niya'ng marinig sunod-sunod na ungol. She was debating whether or not to continue searching when a booming thunder c

ang gunting at babalik na sana sa desk ni

ho were literally at each other's throat. They broke apart and turn

lo'ng sigaw niya sa

a sa hallway. Habang ang babae'ng kalampungan nito'y hindi magkandatuto

re doing in here?" She

're in the library." The shamele

drawn somewhere. "Panahon na upang malaman ng lahat kung ano'ng kababalaghan ang nangyayari sa parte'ng i

r fast, his large, hard hand clamped

o, who Anika knew to be the strait-laced VP of Redbrick's Student Council. "Ako

an overripe apple at her friend's feet. Yelena was the lone female in the patriarchy of Redbrick's student organization, her landslide win attributed largely to her Mensa IQ, her quiet strength, and pragmatic view on leadership.

of amorous disarray, Anik

ark, beguiling voice. At kahit naka-bakas sa magandang mukha ni Yelena ang magkahalong guilt at pagkap

nika tried to say wi

t pa ng isang mabilisang smack sa lips b

i Anika bago ubod-lakas na

nito sabay b

? Is nothing sacred? Pati ba naman dito sa library?!" Tuligsa niya. "I know you're perpetually h

ng on the bite mark under his thumb. "And did you have to sink y

y malalagutan siya ng mga litid sa

ang nakabukas na polo shirt bago siya muling nilapitan. "Look,

, natigilan si

do it again. Here. In th

of... Nahilot ni

odied lotharios. She had no choice but to accept this barbaric side to th

for my silence?" Tanong n

wh

u in flagrante de

ou won't tell on me." N

re. Hindi porke't ma

loyalty," Putol ni Marcus sa sasabihin n

h-talker of the five, but he was also the most straight forward. "If you don't behave, I

isbelief. "Why are you here

ple normally go to the libra

He asked. "You?" Dis

niya dito. "You get away from me," Lingon niya, "..

o'ng ngiti sa gwapo nito'ng anyo. "Ano nama'ng mas

mile of her own, before givin